Prefect Perspective

Health and wellness is not just about making sure that you are eating, drinking enough water and exercising; it’s about being able to get through hard times and rise above. If there is one thing I have not regretted, it would be trying new things in high school. I believe that specifically, Albert College is for trying new things. It’s about perseverance.

In middle school, I struggled immensely with trying new things. I believed that trying new things was scary and that I would fail. However, I would not be here writing this if I did not try something new.

When I was younger, I fell in love with basketball. I learned so much about myself, through basketball I learned that I loved athletics, I liked to support my teammates, and I am overly competitive and sometimes very hard on myself. Every time I missed a basket, I would get upset with myself, and every time my team lost, I would blame myself. Despite these moments of self-doubt, I kept going, because perseverance is about accepting that something will be challenging and doing it anyway.

In October, I experienced a moment where my determination was put to the test. It was the CISAA Division 2 Championship Game for our basketball team and we were down 10-2. I remember going to throw the ball in after the other team had scored again. I can admit that the only thing I was thinking was that we could lose this game and that it would be my fault. At that moment, I did not feel that I was good enough. Out of frustration, I tried to quit, but my coaches told me to stay in the game. I looked at the audience. Then I looked at the ball. Then I thought, “I can do it.” I was not going to let my team down. In the end, we won by an impressive 40-29, because we all collectively persevered.

Sports are both a physical and mental challenge. The day of the CISAA Championship basketball game I had to dig deeper than ever to find it in myself to push through and support my teammates. It takes enormous strength to believe in yourself.

I had the privilege of playing on the volleyball team this year, a team driven by our coaches, Mr. Mayer and Ms. Baker, and their unwavering belief in our team. Our first game was not what we had expected going into the season, with a 3-0 loss. That day, we left feeling disappointed in ourselves. With determination, our team practised four times a week, pushed ourselves to improve, and bounced back with six games won and placed third in our division. When asked to switch positions two games before the finals, instead of doubting myself, my first thought was, “I can do it.” And I did.

Athletics have made a huge impact on my life. Albert College has created an environment that pushes you to do your best and thrive as an individual and a community member. When you feel like you are going to fail or that you are not enough, look around and you will find so many people who are here to support you. When you take that free throw, complete that assignment, play a badminton game, learn lines for the play, serve in volleyball, or whatever you are doing, remind yourself that you can do it and have everything you need to succeed.

As the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan once said, “Some people want it to happen, some people wish it would happen, others make it happen."

You are a person who can make it happen, you just need to believe in yourself and... persevere.

-       Katelyn, Grade 12 student and Health & Wellness Prefect